Abstract: A textile comber drawbox shut-off and method are disclosed for terminating the supply of suction air to the drawbox during doffing. Suction air shut-off assemblies B are placed in suction lines 56 leading to vacuum cleaning nozzles 50, 52 of the drawback which clean coiler units A during drawing off of combed sliver 48. Pivotal flapper valves C are tied together by air cylinder D for simultaneous operation. In accordance with the method, upon a prescribed amount of sliver being deposited in cans 26, the comber and supply of suction air are stopped. Following doffing of the full cans, the comber is restarted and the supply of suction air remains shut off by closed valves C. After approximately 60 seconds, of high operation speed, the closure valves C are simultaneously actuated to once again establish suction air in drawbox enclosure 28 for cleaning.